Patterson, Gordon Leonard

Rfmn. Gordon Leonard Patterson, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Cecil G. Patterson, 18 Freeborn Ave., served in the Canadian Army for a year and a half and met his death in a drowning accident in the Welland Canal, near Chippewa, on May 21, 1944. He had enlisted on November 26, 1942, and was stationed with the Victoria Rifles of Canada at the Allanburg Barracks at Niagara-on-the-Lake. On the Sunday afternoon of his death, in his off-duty hours, he was rowing along the Canal when his boat was overturned by the strength of the current at one of the intakes. Before help could reach him, he was drawn under the swirling waters. His body was brought back to Brantford, where, with military honors, in the presence of a wide circle of mourning friends, it was laid to rest in Mount Hope Cemetery, following service at his church, St. Luke's Anglican. Born in Brantford, September 28, 1924, Gordon attended King George School. A fine athlete, he was keenly interested in all outdoor activities but ice-skating, roller-skating and bicycle racing were his greatest joys. He had been stationed at St. John and Sussex, N.B., Farnham, Que., and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Before his enlistment he was employed at the Cockshutt Plow Company, Ltd.

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